Exelon to provide nuclear services to CNNC

14 November 2011

A subsidiary of US utility Exelon has signed a contract with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to provide advisory services and training on nuclear power plant operation.

The contract was signed in Beijing on 11 November by Exelon Nuclear Partners (ENP) and CNNC's Nuclear Power Company (known as CNNP). Under the contract, senior Exelon instructors will be stationed at CNNC's Qinshan nuclear power plant in China's Zhejiang province to deliver workshop and training classes on the Exelon Nuclear Management Model to over 200 CNNC management personnel and plant operators from CNNC’s nuclear plant fleet.

Since the two companies signed a memorandum of cooperation in March 2011, "in-depth discussions and exploration of opportunities between the two organizations" have taken place.

Exelon and CNNP sign the contract (Image: CNNC)

CNNP general manager He Xiaojian commented, "CNNC is entering a new phase of growth, and while implementing the twin goals of ‘integrated group operations and professional management,’ we are fully pursuing professional reform, continuously improving technical standards, realizing modernization in technology levels and efficient management, and ensuring safe and efficient nuclear power development."

He added, "As CNNP undergoes the process of implementing professional reform, we sincerely hope that cooperation and communication with world-leading international nuclear enterprises will help us realize and implement a world-class nuclear power operations model. This cooperation between ENP and CNNP can only strengthen our current focus on safe, reliable, and efficient nuclear power operations at all CNNC facilities and prepare us for the future expansion of nuclear power in China."

Exelon is the USA's largest nuclear power generator, with 17 reactors across ten sites. It is one of the world's best performing nuclear operators, with an average fleet wide capacity factor of over of 93%. The company’s proposed merger with Constellation will add interests in five more reactors across the Nine Mile Point, Calvert Cliffs and R G Ginna sites. The expanded Exelon would then have a total nuclear generating capacity of 18,490 MWe.

State-owned CNNC currently operates eight nuclear reactors in China, but has plans for dramatic near-term expansion, with some 35 units it is involved with either firmly planned or under construction.

Exelon is not the first foreign nuclear company to provide nuclear support services to Chinese plants. French utility Electricité de France (EdF) has a long running arrangement with the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPG) for the sharing of operational experiences in French plants built in Daya Bay and Ling Ao. EdF is also part of a joint venture with CGNPG to build, own and operate the first set of two EPR reactors being built in Taishan.